How Do I Become An Advocate?

If you are looking to start a career in advocacy there are a few steps you will need to take.

Most advocacy job opportunities specify that having previous experience in advocacy is desirable but not essential, so if you can show you have sufficient transferable skills you will still be in with a chance.

Transferable skills include:

Excellent communication skills

Experience of working with seldom heard groups or individual with additional learning, communication or comprehension needs e.g. people with learning difficulties, older people, those with significant communication difficulties

Ability to build a positive rapport

Can distinguish between your own and other’s views and needs

Good level of education

Able to treat people with dignity and respect

PC and internet skills

Experience of working with a range of other professionals in the social and care sector

Committed to equal opportunities

Good organisational and time management skills

Able to respond to challenges and conflict in a positive way

The above list is not exhaustive but if you feel your past experience could meet some or all of the criteria above then the next step would be to look at what opportunities there are for you.

You can gain advocacy experience through volunteering. Visit theseAp Volunteering webpage for details on how to contact your local office for more details.

Paid advocacy positions will also be available from time to time and it’s worth finding out who your local advocacy organisations are to see if they have any vacancies.

Perhaps contact them directly to ask if any positions are due to be advertised soon: outline your transferable skills and ask that they keep you on record for any future posts.

You do not need to have the QIA in order to gain an advocacy role, indeed achieving the QIA will not be possible until you are practising as an advocate, as the portfolio requires evidence of advocacy practice and competence.

If you are successful in obtaining a paid advocacy post, employers are often willing to fund the full qualification as you work and most will want you to express commitment to undertaking the qualification once in post.

Most commissioners require that advocates hold or are working towards the Qualification in Independent Advocacy (QIA) so once in post it is very likely that you will need to complete it.

You can continue your professional development by arranging for you and your colleagues (6-12 per day) to receive bespoke, in-house CPD training on many topics relating to advocacy (see Our Courses).

Please feel free to Contact Us with any questions you have or to discuss any bespoke training needs.

Other information you may find useful

How do I become an advocate?

Pathway to starting a career in advocacy

What is advocacy?

Why is it needed and what does it involve?

Job opportunities

Vacancies & volunteering information at Advocacy Training and across seAp